Voluntary Principles Initiative

We’ve wrapped up an invigorating two-day Strategy Retreat in the heart of New York City, United States. On October 17 and 18, the VPI Steering Committee and additional members came together to engage in strategic discussions regarding strengthening the Initiative and reinforcing its global leadership in the field of #security and #humanrights.     We are excited for what lies ahead! Our sincere thanks to all the attendees for their active participation, insightful contributions, and dedication to the VPI’s mission. We also want to thank VPI Member Human Rights Watch for opening their offices to the group, and the Government of the United States for chairing the meeting.  

Last week, the VPI Secretariat had the pleasure to welcome a delegation from the National Secretariat of Mining of the Government of Argentina at the VPI offices in Ottawa, Canada. The visit was part of a TAP-EDM / PAT-MDE project and funded by Canada to enhance the capacity of the Secretariat of Mining’s team in developing and implementing multilateral dialogue and consultation processes within the #mining sector. During the meeting, Bann Tabbara of the VPI Secretariat shared the Initiative’s recent work, including VPI-developed tools and guidance on #VPSHR implementation (some of these resources are now available in #Spanish!). She also emphasized growing activities in Latin America and the work developed by the In-Country Working Groups. The global network of working groups is instrumental to advancing on-the-ground implementation of the #VoluntaryPrinciples and promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration. Argentina has been a valued Member of the Voluntary Principles Initiative since 2018. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership in promoting #SecurityandHumanRights. 🤝

Join us for a panel session on #VPSHR implementation at the upcoming 2024 African Business and Human Rights Forum!   Hosted by the VPI, ActionAid , CDD-Centro Para Democracia e Direitos Humanos, and the Plataforma Lusófona dos Direitos Humanos, the multi-stakeholder panel will focus on addressing the unique needs and rights of women affected by the #mining sector. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and engage!   📅 October 9, 2024 ⏲ 2:00 pm (Eastern Africa Time GMT+3) 📍 Nairobi, Kenya 💻 For those who are unable to attend physically – join us remotely via Zoom at: bit.ly/3ZWTS14 (Meeting ID: 820 8998 9865)   Looking forward to seeing everyone at the panel!   #VoluntaryPrinciples #BizHumanRights

Want to know how Members of the Voluntary Principles Initiative have been implementing the #VPSHR in the past year? We are pleased to share the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, compiled from the annual reports submitted by company, NGO, and government Members of the VPI!   📔 The report outlines our Members’ key efforts and best practices in implementing the #VoluntaryPrinciples. It also captures the innovative approaches and ongoing initiatives by Members to address pressing challenges in #security and #humanrights, such as: a case study to explore a Collaborative Security Model at a mining site; a dedicated VPSHR module on gender and vulnerable groups; and the root-cause analysis methodology to understand the drivers of complaints and grievances, among others.   Explore the full report, or browse through the individual Annual Reports from our Members, on the VPI website: bit.ly/3Vew3xG #SecurityHumanRights #BizHumanRights #AnnualReports

La VPI espera trabajar con los actores relevantes en Chile y garantizar que el nuevo Grupo de Trabajo lidere esfuerzos significativos para mejorar la seguridad y los derechos humanos en todo el país. 🤝 Animamos a más personas a involucrarse con el grupo de trabajo y colaborar para impulsar cambios significativos en Chile.

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗙𝗣 Answers to questions received about the baseline study on #security and #humanrights in the #mining and #energy sectors in #Brazil are now available for view on the #RFP page, in the Q&A section: bit.ly/3B3TGCU 📅 The deadline for submission of proposals is 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. For requirements and project scope of the baseline study, please view our post below 👇

We had an insightful panel yesterday on the #VPSHR at the #EXPOSIBRAM 2024, one of Latin America’s most important #mining events held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. 📝 A summary of what was shared during the panel: ▪ Patricia Jacopucci, Deputy Head of the VPI Secretariat, shared about the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the VPI, emphasizing the importance of identifying and mitigating human rights risks associated with corporate security activities, and best practices on interacting with public and private security providers. ▪ Rafael Benke, PROACTIVA RESULTS CEO, shared the results of the "Termômetro dos Direitos Humanos", a self assessment tool that helps companies operating in Brazil to measure their compliance with recognized #CorporateResponsibility and #humanrights best practices. Over 450 companies have already used the tool, including many in the mining sector. ▪ Heloisa Bortolo, General Manager of Social Content and Human Rights at Vale, a VPI Corporate Member, shared the company's experience and challenges in implementing the #VoluntaryPrinciples in its operations, including in complex areas, and the importance of establishing meaningful relationships with affected communities. The panel was moderated by Gabriela Almeida, Executive Manager for Human Rights and Labor at the Pacto Global da ONU Rede Brasil, which provides secretariat services to the VPI In-Country Working Group in Brazil. We thank IBRAM - Instituto Brasileiro de Mineração for the opportunity to bring key discussions on #SecurityHumanRights to the congress, and the panelists for a great session.

The VPI is at the #EXPOSIBRAM 2024, taking place this week in Belo Horizonte, #Brazil. The #VoluntaryPrinciples will be the theme of a panel tomorrow. Patricia Jacopucci, Deputy Head of the VPI Secretariat, will be speaking alongside Heloisa Bortolo from Vale, Rafael Benke from PROACTIVA RESULTS, and Gabriela Almeida from Pacto Global da ONU Rede Brasil. If you are at the EXPOSIBRAM, come by stage C tomorrow at 4:30 pm for the panel session! #SecurityHumanRights #VPSHR

The VPI is proud to announce the launch of a new In-Country Working Group (ICWG) in Chile! The latest addition to the network of VPI and Partner ICWGs worldwide, the working group in Chile aims to strengthen on-the-ground implementation of the #VPSHR, addressing locally relevant #security and #humanrights issues through multistakeholder efforts. It was truly uplifting to see so many representatives from governments, companies, and civil society organizations at the launch event, all of whom share a strong commitment to advancing security-related human rights best practices across #Chile. Thank you to all who attended the launch in Santiago, and thank you to the British Embassy Chile and The Embassy of Canada to Chile | Ambassade du Canada au Chili for supporting the event! Read more about the event and the working group: bit.ly/4gi9W3s #SecurityHumanRights #VPSHR *** La VPI se enorgullece de anunciar el lanzamiento de un nuevo Grupo de Trabajo en Chile. El grupo de trabajo en Chile es la más reciente incorporación a una red grupos, y tiene como objetivo fortalecer la implementación en el país de los Princios Voluntarios de Seguridad Y Derechos Humanos o #PVSDH, abordando cuestiones de #seguridad y #derechos humanos relevantes a nivel local a través de esfuerzos de múltiples partes interesadas. Fue verdaderamente alentador ver a tantos representantes de gobiernos, empresas y organizaciones de la sociedad civil en el evento de lanzamiento, todos los cuales compartían un fuerte compromiso con el avance de las mejores prácticas de derechos humanos relacionadas con la seguridad en todo Chile. ¡Gracias a todos los que asistieron al lanzamiento en Santiago, y gracias a British Embassy Chile y The Embassy of Canada to Chile | Ambassade du Canada au Chili por apoyar el evento! Lea más sobre el evento y el grupo de trabajo: bit.ly/4gi9W3s #SeguridadDerechosHumanos #PVSDH

This Tuesday, the VPI Secretariat initiated a series of activities in South America by participating in a meeting of the Peru Partner In-Country Working Group, held in Lima, #Peru. Over the last 15 years, representatives from companies in the extractive sector, NGOs, and governments have been working together to support the implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the UNGPs in the country. During the event, the VPI Secretariat, represented by Patricia Jacopucci, Deputy Head, and the members of the working group exchanged information on key objectives and planned activities for the year, and discussed opportunities to strengthening collaboration. The Secretariat will continue to work with the Peru Working Group to offer technical support, to learn from their extensive experience as a long standing multistakeholder working group, and ultimately strengthen implementation of the #VPSHR on the ground. We thank the Dutch Embassy for Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, and the Ambassador Alexander Kofman for hosting the event, Molvina Zeballos, from Desco, for helping organize the meeting, and all the participants for a meaningful exchange. Gracias por todo! #VoluntaryPrinciples #SecurityHumanRights